Darrell Higgins served 12 years as an offensive coordinator at Deshler. His Wing-T offense led Deshler to 9 state championship games, including two state titles. In 2004, the offense set a state record with 742 points.

He got his first head coaching job leading the Mars Hill Panthers who had started their football program just a couple of seasons prior to 2016 when he accepted the position.

Higgins first year at Mars Hill got off to a rocky start as the Panthers were forced to forfeit six games due to the use of an ineligible player. It was only a short setback for the Panthers as they have become a dominate football program since that 0-10 start to his career.

Under his direction the Panthers won state championships in Class 1A in 2018, Class 2A in 2020 and 3A in 2024 and 2025.